Flood debris collection begins

May 08, 2007|From Staff Reports

Collection of flood debris began at 9 a.m. today in Aberdeen neighborhoods south of Sixth Avenue South. Residents are encouraged to try to separate hazardous and non-hazardous waste, said Stuart Nelson, assistant city engineer. And materials should be placed as close to curbs as possible, he said. South Dakota National Guard members and city crews are tackling the job, Nelson said. Regularly scheduled garbage pick-up is also under way in the city on streets that are passable. Clients began showing up at 7:45 a.m. today to pick up basement clean-up kits at the Barnett Center at Northern State University, said representatives of the American Red Cross. About 500 are available, and a semi load of another 1,000 are expected to arrive from the United Methodist Committee on Relief. The kits include disinfectant cleaning materials and equipment packed in a bucket. They come with instructions and are available to any Brown County resident one who needs one. To nobody's surprise, Pete Hesla, superintendent of the city's wastewater treatment plant, announced today that tests have confirmed the presence of pathogens in the floodwaters that continue to plague parts of town. Residents are asked not to continue to use as little water as possible for at least the rest of the week to take pressure off the sanitary sewer system. City engineer Robin Bobzien said the water level in the holding pond near Holgate Middle School went down a foot from 6 p.m. Monday to 6 a.m. today. North Dakota Street and 18th Avenue North are now free of water. North State Street is receding by baby steps, he said. All these developments were announced at this morning's flood briefing at the county courthouse. About 50 attended. Tonight's public meeting in the Strode Center at Presentation College will begin with brief reports from officials. After that, each official will sit at his or her own table to allow for one-on-one conversations with as many residents as possible. The meeting starts at 7 p.m.